Bullion Storage

BULLION STORAGE

YOUR BEST KEPT SECRET

By AGWire ™

February 20, 2016

You're probably thinking, "Huh? What do these photos have to do with bullion storage?" Precisely!!! If you
are reading this article, you are likely a collector and investor in physical bullion, and you likely hold your
metals in your own possession. And, regardless of the size of your stack or the depth of your collection, you
are very proud of your stash. And stash is exactly what it should be, something stored safely and secretly in a
specific place. But your stash is something you should never talk about with co-workers, or over a card game
with friends, or at a family picnic. Sometimes it's hard to resist bragging a little when you've got something
you're really proud of, but even your most trusted friends and family members can innocently slip confidential
information to the wrong people, and before you know it, something goes missing. We've heard so many
stories of kids and their friends coming across an indiscreet stash while their parents are out of town, and
excitedly cashing in those legacy 3oz ingots at a local pawn or coin shop for less than spot price before their
parents found out. And even more stories about things disappearing after the cleaning lady or cable guy
have left. As the subtitle above understates so clearly, storing your bullion should be YOUR BEST KEPT
SECRET, period.

So, with that said, you need to think like a thief. Typical home targets are master
bedroom drawers and cabinets, wall safes in closets or behind paintings in the office
or den, etc. Remember that thieves generally don't have a lot of time, so they target
the obvious places. So think about storing your items is less conspicuous places
where nobody would ever think twice about looking, maybe in a garage cabinet inside
everyday utility containers like cat litter buckets, paint cans, garbage cans, protein
shake tubs, you get the idea. Do not store them in a jewelry box or tool case, or
anything that would otherwise be stolen in its own right. And what about that safe?!

Well, would it be a safe bet to assume that there would be something very valuable in
that safe? And if a thief comes across your safe and they cannot open it or lug it
away, they may just hide out and wait for you to come home and then hold you at
gunpoint while you open it for them. How SAFE is that?

And what about a Safe Deposit Box?! We've heard so many stories about people going to their bank to
check their safe deposit boxes and they find them EMPTY. Banks won't insure what you store in their boxes,
so again, how safe is that? And really, how much can you store in a safe deposit box anyway? Consider the
above photos as ideas that really could be safe-keeping for your stash.

One of our core collectors tells a true story about a bullion purchase he made in 2010, from a father and son
who restored vintage pinball machines. They bought a 1960's pinball machine at a local auction, and noticed
when they were hauling it away that it was unusually heavier than typical pinball machines of that era, but they
didn't think too much about it until they got it in their garage and took it apart, only to find 11 Engelhard
lOOoz poured "P" bars neatly stacked inside. Suffice to say, they got a great deal on the pinball machine
regardless of the price they paid! But the person who put the bars there in the first place either forgot they
were there, or forgot to tell their heirs! Somebody you trust needs to know where your stash is stored in the
event that you die or become incapacitated, and they need to know the general value of your stash and how
to go about properly divesting it. You will need to entrust someone, whether your spouse, your best friend,
brother or sister, OR, if you're not comfortable with telling even your closest friend or family member, then
leave specific directions or instructions to the treasure's whereabouts in a separate letter, perhaps with your
will, or in your safe deposit box with your insurance papers and pink slips (items that should be stored in a
safe deposit box). How many stories have you read or heard on the news about someone fixing up a house
and coming across a pile of gold bars or coins in the wall framing, or in a box under the house, or buried in a
bucket in the garden? To repeat, it is in your best interest to leave directions only with someone to whom
you trust implicitly.

In your bullion travels, you will run across some very curious and inquisitive people. What do you say to your
mail delivery person who asks, "Wow, what's in this heavy box?" You say something like batteries, machine
parts, ball bearings or die molds. Even make up a crazy story like "I have this wacky customer who always
pays me in pennies." Think about how you will answer these curious questions before you are asked! And if
you're sending photos of your stash to a friend or potential customer, or to a blog site, or online auction site,
remember to turn off Location Services on your phone or camera, unless of course you want everyone to
know the street address where the photo of your stash was taken! Install an alarm system in your home, and
cameras at the entry points to your home, for your protection and as a visible deterrent to thieves. If you feel
that maybe the wrong person has obtained knowledge of your collectible habits, make it a point to
conveniently tell them in casual conversation that you had to sell everything to pay some family medical bills.

Collecting bullion is fun and rewarding, but it is also serious business. Never let your guard down. Store your
stash as if it were cold hard cash, because it really is in relative terms, and will no doubt become better than
cash in the not so distant future. So, for me, personally? I lost all of mine in a boating accident...

Tread unassumingly,

AE

AGWire™ is a conduit of the AIIEngelhard Society. All representations are opinion and not to be taken as financial advice. Visit AIIEngelhard.com
for more specific Engelhard information. Additional readings can be found at the AIIEngelhard SUGGESTED READINGS and IN THE NEWS pages.

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